A $20 million gift from the Engelstad Family Foundation is the largest ever to the UND Foundation and the second-largest ever to benefit the University of North Dakota, behind only the $104 million Ralph Engelstad Arena.

[You can find details about the gift, including audio and video of the news conference and the statement from Kris Engelstad McGarry, at www.und.edu].

"This is a magnificent, generous and historic gift," said President Charles Kupchella. "Added to the gift of the Ralph Engelstad Arena and other gifts made to UND by the Engelstads, they have become one of the most significant university patrons in the history of American higher education. We are obviously very grateful to the Engelstad family for their faith in, and support for the University of North Dakota."

All told, the Engelstad family and the Engelstad Family Foundation have provided gifts, including this $20 million gift, Ralph Engelstad Arena, direct gifts, scholarships, and items such as the Gen. George S. Patton papers, and portraits of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices valued at nearly $127.5 million.

The Engelstad Family Foundation provided this written statement pertaining to this gift: "Economic stimulation has been a strong motivator in the philanthropic history of Ralph and Betty Engelstad. This $20 million gift to support scholarships, faculty and other projects at the University of North Dakota continues this passion. The Engelstad Family Foundation recognizes the impact a UND education can and does have on individuals. Those individuals become equipped with the tools to positively affect their own communities and professions as best as possible. It is our hope that this gift will be paramount to the capability of Ralph’s alma mater to stimulate action and innovation within students and faculty.

"The Engelstad Family Foundation is proud of what has been accomplished over the past five years through what Ralph Engelstad Arena has provided the University and the Greater Grand Forks community, economically. We hope that this $20 million gift does all of that and more from an academic standpoint."

Aside from its generous contributions to the University, the Engelstad Family Foundation’s rich history of philanthropy has touched many people and organizations throughout the country. In Nevada, the Engelstad Family Foundation provided $15 million for the Nevada Cancer Institute and nearly $9 million for a new Catholic high school. In Mississippi, the Foundation gave hope to thousands of Hurricane Katrina victims, as it graciously provided $1.5 million toward hurricane relief efforts. The Imperial Palace Hotel in Biloxi, Miss., which is owned by the Engelstad family, kindly opened its doors to hundreds of FEMA workers and homeless employee families for months following the storm.

"The Engelstad family has made philanthropy a top priority as a result of the success they’ve achieved and the values they carry," said Tim O’Keefe, executive vice president and CEO of the UND Foundation. "In particular, it symbolizes their desire to better the University for decades to come. This gift will go a long way to set UND up for an incredible future in terms of meeting the very real financial needs of its students and the institution as a whole."

The Las Vegas-based foundation has pledged $2 million per year for the next 10 years. The first $2 million installment was received April 25.

Of the $20 million gift, $4 million will be designated toward scholarships for underrepresented minority groups in UND’s student body. An additional $4 million will be used to fund scholarships for Presidential Scholars [UND's designation for the more than 600 academically high achieving students on campus]. Scholarships for "late bloomer" students will make up another $4 million. This will include students whose overall records did not qualify for a UND scholarship, but in their late high school years or early college years revealed significant promise. The gift also provides $4 million in athletic scholarships, specifically for men's hockey. This opportunity for student-athletes will provide a portion of the endowment needed to support the University’s move to Division I.

Also provided is an endowed chair in medicine and in engineering, through gifts of $2 million each. Endowed chairs are extremely important to the overall mission and strategic plan of the University. They bring with them a great deal of prestige, highlighting the excellence of faculty on campus. Funding for endowed chairs enables the University to attract dynamic educators in the face of stiff competition.

Special projects of the University may also be funded through this gift, which may include the construction of facilities or modification of existing facilities.

All endowed chairs and scholarships supported by this gift will carry the names of Ralph and Betty Engelstad. -- Jan Orvik, Writer/Editor, University Relations, janorvik@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-3621

On Wednesday, May 9, at 2 p.m., the UND Foundation, University and community members will celebrate the generosity of the late Roy and Elnora (Hopper) Danley, ’37, at a dedication of the Hopper-Danley Memorial Chapel. The newly restored Adelphi Fountain and Student Memorial Wall will also be dedicated at this time. The Danleys’ generously donated $10 million to support the University last spring. The event will be held at the newly constructed Hopper-Danley Memorial Chapel near Twamley Hall. A short program and ribbon cutting ceremony will take place. -- Alumni Association and Foundation.

The University Council will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, in the Memorial Union Ballroom. The agenda will be as follows:
1. Presentation by President Kupchella
2. University Senate 2006-07 end-of-year report, Doug Munski, chair
3. Matters arising, Doug Munski, chair

The University Council consists of the following who are employed primarily on the Grand Forks campus: the president, vice presidents, registrar, director of libraries, all deans and department chairs, all full-time faculty of the rank of instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, and professor; program directors, coordinators, assistant and associate deans who concurrently hold faculty rank; director of the Counseling Center; professional librarians, and such other academic personnel and administrative officers as the Council may designate. The quorum of the Council necessary for the transaction of business is 25 percent of the Council membership (or 152 of the current 608 members). Council meetings are normally co-chaired by the chair of the Senate and the president of the University. The registrar is ex officio secretary. Council meetings are open to the public, and students, staff and the general public are invited to attend.

Sixty-eight law school students will receive the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at a special commencement ceremony Saturday May, 12, for the School of Law.

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the UND Chester Fritz Auditorium, and will be officiated by School of Law Dean Paul LeBel and President Charles Kupchella. The speaker is Laurence Gilman, UND law class of 1994, and most recently assistant general manager of the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes. State Board of Higher Education member Bruce Christianson will deliver greetings from the board.

The commencement ceremony is free and open to the public. -- School of Law.

Kent Conrad, U.S. senator from North Dakota, will be the speaker at general commencement, Saturday, May 12, 1:30 p.m., Alerus Center.

Sen. Conrad has dedicated his life to serving the people of North Dakota, starting with his six years as North Dakota’s Tax Commissioner before his successful 1986 bid for the U.S. Senate. North Dakotans have sent Sen. Conrad to represent them in Washington, D.C. in five successive elections. His public service to North Dakota and the nation has won him acclaim for his effectiveness and budget acumen. Time magazine featured Sen. Conrad as one of “America’s Ten Best Senators,” The American magazine ranked him as one of "10 Most Economically Literate Members of Congress," and the Bismarck Tribune called Sen. Conrad “the most influential senator North Dakota has ever produced.”

A fifth-generation North Dakotan, Sen. Conrad was born in Bismarck and attended Roosevelt Elementary and Hughes Junior High. After serving as the North Dakota Tax Commissioner for six years, he was elected to the United States Senate on a platform of “Yes, We Can!” optimism and a common sense approach to federal policy.

During his 20 years as an advocate for North Dakota in Washington, D.C. Sen. Conrad helped write the 2002 Farm Bill, wrote health care policy that ensured continued access to hospitals in rural areas, and fought unfair trade practices that hurt North Dakota’s economy. He has introduced comprehensive energy legislation that would make the United States more energy independent. And his landmark economic development initiative, Marketplace for Entrepreneurs, is North Dakota’s signature effort to boost the state’s economy.

Sen. Conrad has bipartisan respect as an expert on federal budget matters and is considered a leading Congressional “deficit hawk.” With the Democrats winning the majority in the Senate in November, Sen. Conrad is now the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.

More than 1,600 students are eligible to walk across the stage during what likely will be the last spring commencement presided over by President Charles Kupchella. He announced in January his intent to retire as early as Jan. 25, 2008, although he left the door open for staying on up to six months more to allow the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education time to find a successor.

Three faculty members will be named Chester Fritz Distinguished Professors, UND's highest honor for faculty: F. Richard Ferraro, Roger Melvold, and Stephen Wonderlich.

Three University of North Dakota professors will be named Chester Fritz Distinguished Professors, the University's highest honor for faculty members, at UND's spring commencement Saturday, May 12, 1:30 p.m. UND will award three individuals: F. Richard Ferraro, Roger Melvold, and Stephen Wonderlich.

The award is named after one of UND's first major benefactors, Chester Fritz. A self-made millionaire who made his fortune in silver and other commodities in China, Fritz several times remembered his alma mater with significant gifts, including $1 million each for the Chester Fritz Auditorium and the Chester Fritz Library, as well as other gifts that benefit the University. Some of those funds were set aside to honor high-achieving faculty members.

F. Richard Ferraro
Ric Ferraro has compiled a remarkable record of accomplishment and service in his 15 years with UND’s Department of Psychology. He is an engaging speaker and teacher, admired by colleagues and students alike. He has been extensively involved in service and governance activities, including the committee that won funding for and helped design the new Northern Plains Center for Behavioral Research.

To describe Ferraro’s scholarly record as "impressive" is an understatement. He has 167 peer-reviewed publications and 205 conference presentations. He and his collaborators have received grant funding of over $7.5 million. He has served as the editor or co-editor of four scholarly journals in his field, and as a consulting editor and reviewer for many others. At the 2005 Founders Day, the University honored him with the Thomas J. Clifford Faculty Achievement Award for Excellence in Research.

Ferraro received his bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Potsdam and his master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. Before joining the UND faculty in 1992, he was with the University of Kansas and Washington University (St. Louis, Mo.); at the latter he held dual appointments with the Psychology Department and the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center/Memory and Aging Project.

Ferraro directs the General Experimental Program in UND’s Department of Psychology. He has taught an extensive range of courses, including Adult and Child Neuropsychology, Cognitive Psychology, Aging and Age-Related Diseases, Interactive Computer Programming, special topics, and seminars, just to name a few.

Roger Melvold
One nominator describes him as "simply one of the very best instructors in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences." Melvold joined the UND faculty in 1997 as professor of microbiology and immunology and department chair. He is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of mouse genetics and immunology. As a scientist and administrator, he has strengthened the resources, faculty, and scholarly reputation of his department.

Melvold is particularly admired for his teaching style and his ability to relate to students. By incorporating dimensions such as history and art into his presentations, he encourages his students to appreciate the human aspects as well as the technical knowledge of their field. Another nominator wrote, "Roger Melvold represents the best in medical education. He conveys to his students the importance of self-reliance, responsibility and lifelong learning, the tremendous value of the history of medicine and of practicing the science and art of the profession with dignity."

Melvold received his bachelor’s degree in biology at Minnesota State University Moorhead and his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. He was a research associate at Harvard University and a faculty member at Northwestern University before coming to UND. His research has resulted in more than 135 full-length publications and numerous abstracts and reviews. His outstanding skills as a teacher have generated numerous honors and enthusiastic praise from colleagues and students.

Stephen A. Wonderlich
A member of the UND faculty since 1987, Wonderlich holds the rank of professor and serves as associate chair of the Department of Clinical Neuroscience. He has also served as director of clinical research in the Neuropsychiatric Research Institute in Fargo since 1999. He also serves as an adjunct professor of psychology for both UND and North Dakota State University.

Wonderlich has earned an international reputation for his research into aspects of eating disorders. "As a result [of his work], most of us have a much better understanding of the complexities of anorexia and bulimia nervosa, especially in terms of pre-morbid traumatic events and personality factors," one colleague wrote. "There is no doubt in my mind that Dr. Wonderlich’s work has had, and continues to have, a very real impact on improved patient care in eating disorders."

Other nominators from across the country praised his teaching skills, his extensive record of professional activities and presentations, and his involvement in civic causes, particularly on behalf of abused and neglected children. A colleague wrote, "He is widely regarded as an outstanding mentor and a master clinician, and is widely viewed as an outstanding role model for clinicians, teachers, and researchers of the future."

A native of Moorhead, Minn., Wonderlich received his bachelor’s degree from Concordia College and his master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. He held an internship and fellowship with the University of Wisconsin before coming to UND.

UND also will bestow the Doctor of Letters on two UND alums and native North Dakotans. The founder and director of the North Dakota Museum of Art, Laurel Reuter is known throughout the art world as a productive scholar and a excellent curator. Russell Lefevre is widely recognized in the field of electrical engineering. He is president-elect of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and currently serves as its vice president for technology policy and as past president of the its Aerospace and Electronics Systems Society. -- Jan Orvik, Writer/Editor, University Relations, janorvik@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-3621

Fifty-five senior medical students will receive the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree during the May 13 commencement ceremony for the School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The ceremony begins at 3 p.m. at the Chester Fritz Auditorium and will be officiated by President Charles Kupchella and Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean H. David Wilson. State Board of Higher Education President John Q. Paulsen of Fargo will deliver greetings from the board.

The ceremony will be broadcast over UND-TV (Channel 3 on Grand Forks cable system) at 12:30 a.m., noon and 8:30 p.m. on May 22, 23, 24 and 25. A videotape or DVD of the ceremony may be purchased through the dean’s office (777-3021 or e-mail: tanderson@medicine.nodak.edu).

Outstanding students and faculty members will be recognized during an awards luncheon set to begin at 11:30 a.m. May 13 at the UND Memorial Union. Tickets may be purchased through the dean’s office (777-3021 or tanderson@medicine.nodak.edu).

The graduates have completed four years of medical education to earn the M.D. degree, beginning with two years of instruction at the UND campus in Grand Forks, followed by two years learning and working with practicing physicians who serve as their teachers in hospitals and clinics throughout the state. -- School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

"Pandemic Influenza: Understanding an Emerging Infectious Disease" is the title of the Dean's Hour at noon Wednesday, May 9, at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The event is free and open to the public.

Jeffery Ryan, instructor at the Institute for Emergency Preparedness at Jacksonville (Ala.) State University, will speak in the Reed Keller Auditorium at the medical school's Wold Center, 501 N. Columbia Road.

Ryan, a certified instructor for the Center of Domestic Preparedness, United States Homeland Security, served in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps and the Medical Service Corps as a medical entomologist. He was also a diagnostics developer at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He retired as a lieutenant colonel after almost 23 years of service.

Ryan earned a bachelor's degree in entomology and forestry from Syracuse (N.Y.) University and master's degree in biomedical sciences from Hood College in Frederick, Md. He completed the doctoral degree at North Carolina State University.

The presentation will be broadcast at the following UND medical school video-conference sites: Southwest Campus conference room B, Southeast Campus room 225 and the Northwest Campus office. It can also be viewed at: http://www.med.und.nodak.edu/depts/mit/webcast/dean.html and through Internet video-conferencing on desktop computers through the medical school's CRISTAL Recorder (call 701-777-2329 for details).

The Dean's Hour lecture series is a forum for the discussion of health care, medicine, research, education and related issues of the day.

For more information, please contact the office of the dean at 777-2514.-- Shelley Pohlman, Asst. to the Director, Public Affairs, spohlman@medicine.nodak.edu, 701-777-4305

The final examination for Michael Ransom, a candidate for the Ph.D. degree with a major in Counseling Psychology, is set for 2 p.m. Thursday, May 10, in 318 Montgomery Hall. The dissertation title is "Executive Function Differences in Medicated Depressed, Non-Medicated Depressed, and Non-Medicated Non-Depressed Individuals." Kara Wettersten (Counseling) is the committee chair. The public is invited to attend. -- Joseph Benoit, Dean, Graduate School, joseph.benoit@und.edu, 777-4005

The final examination for Kendra Ellenbecker, a candidate for the Ph.D. degree with a major in Counseling Psychology, is set for 10 a.m. Friday, May 11, in 253 O'Kelly-Ireland Hall. The dissertation title is "The Impact of Interdisciplinary Education on College Student Development." Kara Wettersten (Counseling) is the committee chair. The public is invited to attend. -- Joseph Benoit, Dean, Graduate School, joseph.benoit@und.edu, 777-4005

Please join us for a reception to honor UND honorary degree recipients Russell Lefevre and Laurel Reuter, 2:30 to 4 p.m. Friday, May 11, North Dakota Museum of Art.

Russell Lefevre is a Life Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Born and raised in Grafton, he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in physics from UND, and a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

At Hughes Aircraft Co., he was the lead engineer for the first Navy airborne multi-mode radar. At Technology Service Corp., his activities included identifying advanced technologies, performing R&D on promising new applications, developing business opportunities and strategies, and organizing proposal activities. He had a lead role in securing more than 80 Small Business Innovations Rewards.

During 2001, Lefevre was an IEEE-USA congressional Fellow, serving as science advisor to Sen. Jay Rockefeller. He was the Senate staff person responsible for organizing the activity leading the the NSF math and science partnership program to make a significant improvement in K-12 education. He was personally responsible for inclusion of the Noyce Scholarships for college students who major in a technical field and commit to teaching two years for each year of support in a Title 1 K-12 school.

Lefevre is the 2007 president-elect of the IEEE, currently serves as vice president for technology policy, and was past president of that organization's Aerospace and Electronics Systems Society.

Laurel Reuter is the founder and director of the North Dakota Museum of Art. She was raised in Tokio, N.D., on what is now the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation. He earned two undergraduate degrees and a master's in English from UND. She started what is now the museum as a student gallery on the top floor of the Memorial Union in the early 1970s while a graduate student in English. Her goal, she said, was "to build the best small museum in America."

In 1996 the museum became a private, not-for-profit cultural institution. In 1999, Reuter received the Award of Distinction from the National Council of Art Administrators. The museum's work within the Greater Grand Forks community after the Flood of 1997 received wide recognition in the media.

Reuter has curated more than 100 exhibitions, and has written "Whole Cloth," co-edited "Under the Whelming Tide: 1997 Flood of the Red Viver Valley of the North," essays and catalogs. In 1998, she was one of 20 people profiled by the Bismarck Tribune in their first edition of Notable North Dakotans.

This April, she was cited in the New York Times for putting together a traveling exhibit about the victims of terror through kidnapping in some totalitarian Latin American regimes.

Those Who Read...BLOOM! Gebregeorgis Yohannes, executive director of Ethiopia Reads, will speak Sunday, May 13, at the 9 and 11 a.m. services at First Presybterian Church, 5555 S. Washington St. You are invited to join Grand Forks Friends of Ethiopia Reads to hear him share all that is happening for the children of Ethiopia and meet him at a breakfast between services. Ethiopia Reads is a non-profit organization founded by Gebregeorgis Yohannes and Jane Kurtz. It is dedicated to connecting Ethiopian children with books. Ethiopia Reads opened the first free library for children in Addis Ababa and published the first-ever children's book in English and Amharic. For more information, visit www.ethiopiareads.org or call Ann Porter at (701)330-0602 or (701)772-5295.-- Dawn Botsford, Events Coordinator, Office of Ceremonies and Special Events, dawnbotsford@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-6393

Blue Cross, Blue Shield presents a course on summer safety Monday and Tuesday, May 14 and 15. Everyone can enjoy the warm weather during the summer months, but being aware of the health risks associated with this is crucial. This presentation will focus on what you can do to keep yourself safe, whether you're out in the heat or in the presence of bugs. Everyone in attendance will receive a free summer safety kit. Register online through U2.-- Amanda Eickhoff, Coordinator of Wellness, Wellness Center, amandaeickhoff@mail.und.edu, 777-0210

The Energy & Environmental Research Center has partnered with the Spitfire Agency, Mill Valley, Calif., to implement a greening program for its upcoming Biomass ’07: Power, Fuels, and Chemicals Workshop, May 15–16.

“The EERC is world-renowned for its expertise in developing and commercializing technologies that will enhance our nation’s energy security while improving our environment, and we are extremely pleased to implement this program for our biomass workshop,” said EERC Director Gerald Groenewold.

The program will focus on providing the most environmentally sustainable event possible, including waste management, reclamation, and recycling. The EERC and Spitfire are working with the Alerus Center and the City of Grand Forks to reduce the workshop’s overall impact on the environment.

For example, public waste reclamation stations will be provided for recycling of all glass, plastic, aluminum, paper, and cardboard. Convention meals will be served with reusable and washable utensils or will be substituted with compostable items. Plastic cold cups will be replaced with bioplastic cups made from corn, paper cups will be replaced with cups made from compostable materials, and plastic cutlery will be replaced with cutlery made from potatoes. The Alerus Center will provide 100 percent recycled hand towels, napkins, and other paper products as well as bioplastic trash bags and organic hand soaps. All workshop materials will be printed on recycled paper. Any unused food will be delivered to local food banks.

“In addition, we will actively promote our sustainability efforts to event attendees and exhibitors so that they too can join us in our efforts to achieve a low-impact event,” said Deb Haley, EERC associate director for marketing, outreach, and administrative resources. “Attendees will receive suggestions on ways in which they can make a positive impact on the environment while attending the workshop.”

“Each year, nearly 80 million people around the world attend a conference, meeting, or convention, generating over a quarter of a billion dollars in annual profits. Despite these economic benefits, conventions also have an incredibly high impact on the environment,” said Sarah Haynes, CEO of the Spitfire Agency. “The EERC is an early supporter of the green conference movement, helping to pave the way for those to come. I’m proud to be working with an agency that is paying attention to its impact and is doing all that it can to reduce it.”

More than 350 attendees are expected to attend the upcoming Biomass ’07 Workshop. Currently, there are attendees registered from 174 organizations, representing 27 states, three foreign countries, and three Canadian provinces.

GEOG 900: Geospatial Technologies for Implementing National Geography Standards, will be held June 13 and 20, at Lake Region State College. Those taking the class will learn how to make geospatial technologies part of the classroom diet.

These two days will be used to introduce in-service educators from all grade levels about the basics of map reading and interpretation, global positioning systems (GPS), remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS) in the context of the National Geography Standards. Space is limited to only 20 in-service educators because the credit fee, tuition, and textbook costs (a copy of the latest edition of Mapping Our World) are being absorbed by NDView.

This workshop is sponsored by NDView, a federally-funded program for promoting the use of geospatial technologies in pre-college, college, and post-college settings. Housed at UND under the direction of Bradley Rundquist, this program has awarded a grant to the Dakota Science Center (DSC) to work in collaboration with the North Dakota education group of the Upper Midwest Aerospace Consortium and academic professional geographers from UND to provide this two-day program. It is spread over two Wednesdays deliberately on the premise that a person needs some time to absorb being introduced to certain aspects of GPS and GIS in order to avoid “brain freeze” from the amount of necessary instructional details while starting to learn these geospatial techniques. Then, too, having the week between sessions allows the learner a chance to identify problems and to develop questions that can be handled and answered on the second meeting date regarding the exercises from Mapping Our World.

Dr. Vandeberg is the lead instructor and is noted as a dynamic, learner-centered individual. Laura Munski from DSC will be one of the on-site coordinators and hopes that teachers will consider follow-up activities with DSC during Geography Awareness Week 2007. The off-site coordination will be handled by UND's Division of Continuing Education’s Office of Professional Development for Educators with the assistance of Dr. Munski (777-4591). To register, please contact Kim Jones at Gustafson Hall at 777-4282 or 1-800-261-3677 (toll free). -- Doug Munski, geography.

The Quasquicentennial, UND’s 125th Anniversary, will be celebrated in 2008! In preparation for this upcoming celebration, a “Photo on the Green” event will take place Monday, Aug. 20, on the Carnegie Hall north lawn. The event will begin at 1 p.m. and the picture will be taken at 1:25 p.m. The first 5,000 people to come will receive a free commemorative 125th anniversary T-shirt.

The group photo will be taken of the UND family to include thousands of students, staff, faculty, alumni and other members of the campus community. The goal is to have enough participants to form a large UND flame logo on the campus lawn. This will be the first event of many that will help the community honor the University’s long history and growing future.

Chuck Kimmerle, UND photographer, has agreed to take the photograph, and Robert Brooks, UND marching band director, will assist with coordinating the participants in the picture. The process of taking this group photo will be videotaped by the Television Center, and the resulting video will be used as a video spot to promote the 125th anniversary year.

Mark your calendars now for Aug. 20. The ‘Q’ is coming. . . be a part of history, be a part of the fun, be a part of the celebration!-- Jennifer Swangler, Committee Member, UND 125th Anniversary Communications/Marketing Sub-Committee, jenniferswangler@mail.und.edu, 777.6374

Final grade information follows.
* Final grade rosters were created in PeopleSoft Wednesday, May 2, and are available for grade entry starting Thursday, May 3.
* Please be sure to select the final grade roster (not the midterm roster) for entering grades.
* Grading instructions are available at www.und.edu/dept/registrar/FacultyStaff/FacultyStaff.htm under faculty final grading in PeopleSoft.
* Please note that grades are due no later than noon Tuesday, May 15.

The final examination schedule for the 2007 spring semester may be found on the office of the registrar web site under schedule of courses - 2007 spring semester at www.und.edu/dept/registrar/timeschedule/spring.

In anticipation of receiving its continuing renewal, the Center for Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) at UND on “Pathophysiological Signaling in Neurodegenerative Diseases” is calling for proposals for its Pilot Research Project Awards. The focus of this program is to increase the scope of research conducted at UND related directly to the theme of the COBRE grant and to increase the competitiveness of pilot grant awardees for funding from national (extramural) organizations. The call for applications is effective starting Friday, May 4, and the deadline for submission of complete applications is Monday, June 4, at 4:30 p.m. Funding for approved projects, depending on availability of funds from NCRR, is anticipated to begin Monday July 2. Projects will be reviewed both for scientific merit and compatibility with the scientific focus of this COBRE grant. We anticipate having $200,000 for this program and the maximum funding per proposal will be $40,000; all funds must be spent by the end of the budget year as dictated by the NCRR (under normal circumstances June 30, 2008).

The COBRE grant on the “Pathophysiological Signaling of Neurodegenerative Diseases” is looking to sustain progress made to date and increase the scope of its research activities by supporting neuroscience research at UND. Using molecular/genetic, pharmacological, electrophysiological, biochemical and systems biology approaches, we are working to elucidate causes of and identify potential treatments for such devastating neurological disorders as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, HIV-1 dementia and epilepsy.

Applicants (principal investigators) must have full-time faculty appointments in the basic scientist scholar track at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Pilot grants may be awarded to faculty members of any rank in the basic scientist scholar track not supported by the COBRE-II grant as project directors. Faculty members who are funded as project directors on the COBRE-II grant are not eligible to submit applications as a principal investigator for a pilot grant.

Research funding will support projects from July 2, 2007, through June 30, 2008. The proposed project must be completed within this time frame. You can not receive funds from the COBRE grant and another source (internal or external) simultaneously for the same project. If the same project receives funding from the COBRE grant and another source you must notify immediately the COBRE principal investigator, Jonathan Geiger, and inform him which source of money you plan to accept/keep.

Proposals will be reviewed by the external advisory board for this COBRE grant, as well as by a committee chaired by the COBRE principal investigator. Proposals must be scientifically sound and have the potential to be developed, through the generation of preliminary data, into a full project supported either by the COBRE grant, or by extramural granting agencies.

Highest priority will be given to:
* Research projects that are relevant to the COBREs thematic interests.
* Principal investigators with at least 70 percent effort designated for research.
* Projects that make effective use of COBRE imaging and/or mass spectrometry core facilities.
* Applications with high likelihood of being supported as a full project on the COBRE, or by an extramural granting agency.

Proposals must include:
* A five-page (excluding references) single-spaced description of an hypothesis-driven proposal that includes a description of specific aims, background and significance, progress to date, and research design and methods.
* A brief statement in a cover letter of how the research is relevant to the COBRE’s thematic interests, and as appropriate the projected use of COBRE-subsidized research cores.
* An NIH-style biographical sketch.
* A fully-justified budget limited to no more than $40,000. No indirect costs will be paid. Funds may be requested for supplies, personnel salaries, animal costs, and minor pieces of equipment. No funds may be requested for faculty salaries. Funds for off-campus collaborations or services must be approved by the COBRE principal investigator Dr. J. Geiger.
* A statement as to whether the project requires human and/or animal subject approval; approval is required before money will be released.
* A list of consultants/collaborators, and their NIH style biographical sketches.
* A list of current and pending grant support (if projects are similar to the pilot grant proposal submitted, please attach summary pages from the grants and a statement about overlap)

Approvals must be obtained on the submission form of the UNDSMHS and must include the following signatures; principal investigator, department chair, the Office of Research and Program Development, Institutional Animal Care Committee (as required), Institutional Review Board (as required), and Dean H. David Wilson, or his designate.

Awardees will be required to participate actively in the COBRE-supported seminar program and the annual neuroscience symposium, cite at meetings and in ensuing publications the COBRE grant and NCRR as a source of support, and submit written reports as requested by the principal investigator.

Please submit the original and an electronic copy of the application by 4:30 p.m. June 4, 2007 to: Ms. Julie Horn, administrative officer, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Therapeutics, Stop 9037.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and the Division of Continuing Education are seeking faculty to teach various courses for individuals ages 55 and better. These are fun and informal classes that can be taken on the UND campus. Courses will typically last two hours per session and run four to five sessions in length.

OLLI is a membership-based community of mature adults who love learning and enjoy spending time with like-minded individuals. OLLI’s mission is to foster accessible lifelong learning and individual growth for mature learners by creating intellectually stimulating learning opportunities that will enrich their lives. The University of North Dakota launched OLLI in North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota to extend lifelong learning opportunities to our mature community members.

OLLI is funded in part by the Bernard Osher Foundation, which was founded in 1977 by Bernard Osher, a respected community leader in San Francisco. The philanthropic organization improves the quality of life for mature residents through post-secondary student scholarships, as well as art, cultural, and educational grants. At present, the Foundation is supporting 101 Osher Institutes on university and college campuses in 46 states.

OLLI provides courses and other opportunities for mature individuals who want to continue learning in a relaxed atmosphere. There are a variety of courses ranging from arts and humanities, literature, computers, and wellness. OLLI is not about grades or tests; it is about exploring new topics, indulging in personal interests, and making new friends.

If you would like to become involved or are interested in teaching a course, please contact Jennifer Aamodt at 777-4204.-- Jennifer Aamodt, Certificate Programs Coordinator, Continuing Education/Outreach Support, jenniferaamodt@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-4204

Applications from academic departments for assessment retreat grants, to be funded from the Bush grant for the asssessment of student learning, are due Friday, May 11. To apply for a grant, submit a one- to two-page proposal that includes a proposed retreat agenda and budget, as well as a narrative description of both. Also include a letter of support from the chair (unless the chair is submitting the proposal). Send to Joan Hawthorne, Stop 8176, or <joan_hawthorne@und.nodak.edu>. -- Joan Hawthorne, Assistant Provost, Provost Office, joan_hawthorne@und.nodak.edu, 7-4684

The Library of Health Sciences will have extended hours Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12. Friday hours are 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.-- April Byars, Administrative Assistant, Library of the Health Sciences, abyars@medicine.nodak.edu, 777-3893

Following are summer hours for the Hyslop Sports Center, June 4- July 29.
Monday through Thursday, the Hyslop will be locked at 9 p.m.; racquetball courts will close when the building closes. Friday, the Hyslop will be locked at 5 p.m., including racquetball courts. Saturday and Sunday, closed.

Summer camps start on June 4. When camps are in session, the multi-purpose gym and the arena will not be available for public use. However, the multi-purpose gym and Gym I will be available for faculty “noon ball” if not being used by camps or for PXW classes.

Hours beginning July 30 follow. Monday through Friday, the Hyslop will be locked at 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, closed.

Summer pool hours for June and July follow.
* Lap swim, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
* Recreational swim, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Pool hours are subject to change. Please call 777-2739 for the most up-to-date information. The pool will be closed in August for maintenance.
-- Hyslop Sports Center.

The U.S. Postal Services’ rates will change May 14. Postage for one ounce letters will increase from $.39 to $.41. The biggest change with the U.S. Postal Services’ new rate structure is that pricing will also be based on the shape instead of just the weight of the item being mailed. For example, a 9”x12” envelope and a No. 10 business envelope that each weighs two ounces today costs $.63 to mail, but on May 14, the 9”x 12” envelope will cost $.97 and the business size envelope will cost $.58 to mail. The USPS has determined it is much more costly for them to handle larger envelopes and packages verses letter size envelopes and has adjusted the postage rates accordingly. International Mailing rates and terminology for international mail services will also change May 14. More information on the new postage rates can be found at www.usps.com/ratecase. -- Darin Lee, supervisor, Campus Postal Services.

The Ken and Toby Baker UND Proud Award is presented to a staff employee who, through service and dedication to the University, to fellow workers, and to the community, exemplifies the qualities of commitment, loyalty, and pride in the University. The award includes $1,000, a plaque, and a traveling plaque for the department. The award was given to Don Rasmuson, police supervisor/lieutenant, UND Police.
-- Diane Nelson, human resources.

The annual staff recognition ceremony was held May 8. Almost 700 participants gathered to honor UND staff who have completed consecutive years of service at the University in increments of five years. The following were this year's recipients:

With a flashing blast worthy of a Hollywood special-effects crew, North Dakota’s first educational rocket roared more than a half mile into the quiet humid air over a rural Grand Forks farm field Tuesday, May 8.

The 12-foot rocket and its portable launch pad were designed, built, and controlled in the field by a team of students, faculty, and volunteers led by University of North Dakota astrophysicist Tim Young under a project funded, in part, by the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium.

With a picture-perfect liftoff from a grass strip between a field of plowed corn stubble and a newly planted field of grain, the 12-foot white rocket flew arrow-straight to a height of about 2,800 feet. The flight was cleared minutes before liftoff with a cell phone call by Young to the local office of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA had previously permitted the flight for a maximum altitude of 3,500 feet, Young noted.

The test rocket’s drogue and main parachutes deployed without a hitch, and the multistage rocket settled squarely into the soft dirt of the freshly planted field just a few yards from the launch site. The drogue chute is the first “out of the bag,” and, like the small chutes set off behind drag racing cars, helps to slow the rocket down after it completes its ascent. The main parachute is deployed after the drogue chute and slows the rocket’s three stages down to a safe landing speed. The chutes were perfectly deployed during this test flight by means of small explosive charges inside the rocket which were set off at predertmined altitudes.

“Can you believe this?” exclaimed Young, who actually called the countdown and pushed the button that ignited the rocket’s solid fuel motor (a miniature version of the system used to loft the Space Shuttle into space).

“This is absolutely a terrific moment for us,” said Young, who also is known for his globe-trotting solar eclipse observations. “We’ve been working on the launch pad and the rocket since last September. The great success of this test launch sets us up to go ahead and build the full-fledged project rocket, which will be about 20 feet tall and have five motors, compared with the test rocket’s single motor.” That rocket is expected to be cleared by the FAA for an altitude of 25,000 feet.

The educational rocket project -- part of the NASA-sponsored consortium’s multi-institution collaborative -- will allow students at several North Dakota colleges and universities to design and build science projects that could be loaded aboard the fully recoverable rocket for onboard tests, noted Pablo de Leon, a UND aerospace engineer who is known nationally and globally for leading the consortium’s Mars planetary exploration suit project. De Leon was a volunteer on the rocket project.

The consortium rocket team -- including members from across the state -- now will proceed to build the full rocket and prepare for launch later this year, Young said.-- Jan Orvik, Writer/Editor, University Relations, janorvik@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-3621

Below are the U2 workshops for May 3-10. Visit our web site for additional workshops.

Budget Inquiry and Ledger Cash Balance
May 3, 9 to 10:30 a.m., 361 Upson II
How do I know what I have left in my budget and how do I know whether I need to do a Budget Journal so that my payments will be processed? Presenters: Lisa Heher and Allison Peyton.

Pre-Retirement Seminar: NDPERS - Health, Life and Retirement
May 7, 1 to 4:30 p.m., Room 10-12, Swanson Hall
This session is divided into two parts. The first, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., will discuss health and life insurance at retirement. All benefited employees nearing retirement can benefit from this session, whether you are a participant of TIAA-CREF or NDPERS. The second part of this session is intended for those employees on NDPERS with questions regarding retirement. This part will go from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.

Coffee, Cookies and Catered Events, Oh My! (UND Catering: Not Just Doughnuts!)
May 8, 8:30 to 10 a.m., Badlands Room, Memorial Union
• Learn to plan an event from start to finish
• Discover what’s new in catered events
• Learn how to successfully complete the forms to request catering services
• Learn menu planning from the catering experts
• Learn how to take your catered event to the next level
Presenter: Diane Brenno.

Train the Trainer in Ergonomics
May 8, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Auxiliary Services Conference Room
This is a mandatory class for all supervisors or those who supervise others for the University of North Dakota. This is a new requirement by the State Risk Management Division in Bismarck. The new UND ergonomic program will be reviewed. In addition, an introductory explanation of ergonomics which is to be shared with your staff members will be presented. UND administration supports this effort. Part of our Workers Compensation discount depends on participation in this class. Certificates will be presented and attendance monitored. We look forward to as many as possible attending. Presenter: Claire Moen.

Hiring Procedures and the Termination Process
May 10, 9 to 11 a.m., 305 Twamley Hall
Learn what constitutes a legal hire as well as a legal termination of an employee. Presenters: Joy Johnson and Desi Sporbert.

Records Disposal Procedures
May 10, 1 to 2 p.m., 211 Skalicky Tech Incubator
Learn more about the process for destroying or transferring records that have passed their retention time limits. We’ll review the system used, discuss why it’s necessary to document, and take part in a hands-on run-through of the entire process. It’s fun to clean out, it’s easier to do than you think, and now’s the time to do it! Presenter: Chris Austin, records manager.

Working in Confined Spaces
May 10, 1 to 2 p.m., Badlands Room, Memorial Union
Confined spaces can be deadly. Reinforce understanding of the risks associated with working in confined spaces such as manholes, trenches, cable vaults and attics. The following topics are included in the workshop: identification of a confined space and its conditions; toxic, flammable, and oxygen-deficient atmospheres; hazards and proper personal protective equipment; and roles and responsibilities.
Presenter: Jason Uhlir, Safety and Environmental Health.-- Sara Satter, U2 Program Assistant, Continuing Education, sarasatter@mail.und.edu, 777-2128

Rising war costs and budget shortfalls have forced Uncle Sam to sharply reduce domestic spending, including big cuts in research grants. That’s tough news for some scientists who bet careers on federally funded research. For some schools, including the University of North Dakota, federal cash accounts for well over half of the money allocated to research. That's also a big challenge for regions such as the Red River Valley, which depend, in part, on university-based research projects to create jobs and other economic development.

The good news, UND research leaders say, is that UND — where federal research budget cuts do indeed have many scientists scrambling — is exceptionally well-positioned to weather this current federal research budget storm.

Check out the hows and whys of the new federal research budget realities and how UND is coping in this Q&A - see http://www.und.edu/faculty_qa/05032007.html — with UND interim vice president for research Gary Johnson and UND biomedical researcher and associate vice president for research Barry Milavetz.

Beginning Wednesday, May 9, donation sites will be set up near the refuse pickup areas by the residence halls. The donation drive will run through Friday, May 11, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The goal is to reduce waste to the city landfill. So many students have excess items they need to get rid of at the end of the year and this will help these items go to someone who needs them instead of in a trash can. Donations will be picked up by Dakota Boys Ranch, St. Vincent De Paul, Goodwill, and Valley Thrift Store. -- Debbie Merrill, recycling coordinator.-- Jan Orvik, Writer/Editor, University Relations, janorvik@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-3621

Donated annual and sick leave are sought for Pam Legg, baker at dining services, due to a medical condition. If you would like to donate leave, please fill out the form at http://www.und.edu/org/payroll , and send to Lola Conley, Dining Services, Stop 9033. Thank you in advance. -- Dining Services.

The Rural Assistance Center at the UND Center for Rural Health has a North Dakota state resource page on its web site that lists state rural health contacts, state government and state non-profit organizations, tools providing statistics, facts and networking opportunities, North Dakota maps, funding opportunities focused on North Dakota projects, electronic documents, success stories of state programs, as well as news and events.

The work of America's 2.9 million registered nurses to save lives and to maintain the health of millions of individuals is the focus of this year's National Nurses Week, celebrated annually May 6-12 throughout the United States. This year, the American Nurses Association has selected "Nursing: A Profession and a Passion" as the theme for 2007.

Annually, National Nurses Week begins May 6, marked as RN Recognition Day, and ends May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession.

“Today's registered nurses are devoted care givers as well as responsible professionals,” shares Chandice Covington, dean of nursing at UND. “During National Nurses Week, we honor the men and women who chose this challenging and rewarding career.”

National Nurses Week focuses on highlighting the diverse ways in which registered nurses are working to improve health care. From bedside nursing in hospitals and long-term care facilities to the halls of research institutions, state legislatures, and Congress, the depth and breadth of the nursing profession is meeting the expanding health care needs of American society.

The American Nurses Association is the only full-service professional organization representing the interests of the nation's 2.9 million Registered Nurses (RNs) through its 54 constituent member associations. The ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public. For more information on National Nurses Week, visit www.nursingworld.org/pressrel/nnw.-- Becky Cournia, Alumni & Development Coordinator, Nursing, beckycournia@mail.und.edu, 777-4526

Stroke doesn’t discriminate – it affects people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds. It is the No. 3 killer in the U.S. and a leading cause of disability. One of six people over age 55 is at risk of stroke. Know your risk factors. Learn the warning signs. A family history of stroke increases your risk.

Stroke kills 2 million brain cells per minute and leaves survivors with physical and emotional disabilities. Stroke is highly treatable in the first three hours. Learn the warning signs:
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden sever headache with no known cause
Call 911 immediately if any occur.

Fortunately, most strokes are preventable, and you can take steps now to reduce having a stroke. Face stroke before it faces you. Stroke does not have to happen to you...Know your risks. Control your risk factors, such as blood pressure and diabetes, and work with your doctor to eliminate or manage your risks.

To reduce your risk of stroke:
• Eat a balanced diet emphasizing a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, low-fat or non-fat dairy products, fish, legumes and sources of protein low in saturated fat;
• Get physically active at least 30 minutes per day, most days of the week;
• Don’t smoke – if you smoke, stop.
• Schedule regular visits with your doctor.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke. Get the right information and take action to ensure that your blood pressure is at a healthy level. Visit americanheart.org/hbp. From this site you can:
• Take the High Blood Pressure Quiz to test your high blood pressure I.Q.;
• Use the High Blood Pressure Health Risk Calculator to assess the risks of specific blood pressure levels on your health;
• Find the answers to the most commonly asked questions about high blood pressure in our Ask the Expert section.

Heart Profilers® is a free, online educational tool that can help you manage high blood pressure, understand treatment options, and talk to your doctor about what treatment may be right for you. Visit americanheart.org/heartprofilers.

The UND women's golf team, coached by Dan Frei, won the NCAA Division II Women's Golf North Regional championship at the Sunnyside Country Club in Waterloo, Iowa, and earned an automatic berth in the NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championship tournament that will be held May 9-12 at the Stonebrook Country Club in Pensacola, Fla.

It is the second time in the eight-year history of the NCAA Division II women's golf championships that UND has qualified for the national tournament. The only other year the Fighting Sioux qualified was in the first year of the championships (2000), when UND finished eighth. The NCAA held a combined Division II and III women's golf national tournament from 1996-99, and UND qualified once as a team for that NCAA tournament, finishing 10th in 1998.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) seeks used, donated books, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, and records. Please drop off at 1130 North Fifth St., Grand Forks, during business hours (call 775-5121) or call one of the following numbers: 772-0247, 772-1622, 795-9808, or Dianne at 777-4406.-- Dianne Stam, Administrative Secretary, University Learning Center, diannestam@mail.und.nodak.edu, 777-4406

The following position vacancies are available only to regular UND staff employees who have successfully completed their six-month probation period, earn annual and sick leave, receive BC/BS Health insurance and TIAA-CREF or ND PERS retirement benefits. Current UND faculty, please contact Human Resources for eligibility.

Veterans Upward Bound at UND has selected Frank Jones as Veterans Upward Bound Instructor of the Year for 2007. Jones was presented the award at TRIO Days at NDSU April 18. He has taught for Veterans Upward Bound since 2001. His classes have expanded from math to science and computers. He also maintains the VUB computer lab and assists many of the veterans with their own personal computers. Frank’s teaching style makes for a comfortable learning environment for veterans who haven’t been in school for an extended period of time and are now preparing themselves for college work.-- Colleen Reuter, Asst. Director, Veterans Upward Bound, Veterans Upward Bound, Colleen.Reuter@ndsu.edu, 701-777-6465

The American Association of University Women announces the selection of mechanical engineering student Sarah Just as their selection to Outstanding Senior Woman for the year 2007. Department chair and professor Manohar Kulkarni nominated Sarah. The outstanding senior woman award is given on the basis of academic excellence along with contributions to the community. Sarah has a long list of academic honors and community involvement. She will graduate in May and currently holds a 3.81 GPA majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in mathematics. Sarah was presented with a plaque along with a year membership to AAUW and a $100 award at the AAUW spring luncheon meeting. The American Association of University Women promotes equity in education for men and women and the Grand Forks Branch was founded in 1917. of Business in 2006, Lisa Geschwill, mechanical engineering in 2005, and Colleen Eberle, College of Business in 2003. Each of these women has gone on to be leaders in their fields. -- Colleen Reuter, Asst. Director, Veterans Upward Bound, Veterans Upward Bound, Colleen.Reuter@ndsu.edu, 701-777-6465

Farrell D. "Bow" Bowman, retired building services manager of student housing, died May 5 at his home in McVille, N.D. He was 63.

Bowman, the son of Luther and Katie Bowman, was born in Johnson City, Tenn. He lived in Tennessee until he moved with his family to Adrian, Mich. He attended schools there and enlisted in the military. He was a Vietnam veteran, and retired from the United States Air Force in 1983. Bowman was a life member of the DAV, VFW and the American Legion. He worked at UND as the building services manager of student housing, until he medically retired in January 1997.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn, a daughter Malinda Sue (Andy) Deitz of Warren, Minn.; a son Anthony of Grand Forks; stepsons James (Debbie) Peterson of Grand Forks; and Mark (Janelle) Peterson of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and a brother TJ (Burnis) of Magnolia, Miss.; seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Bowman was preceded in death by his parents, and many aunts and uncles.